Reviews: Squid Game

If you thought Netflix’s latest hit show was merely a psychological thriller with blood and gore, then you are greatly mistaken. Hwang Dong-Hyuk’s Squid Game is littered with themes that highlight the current society’s social ills and wins, from capitalism and segregation to unity and adulthood.

Be warned: there are spoilers ahead.

Capitalism vs. Community

This one stood out like a sore thumb. The series is literally about a group of financially depraved individuals who find themselves (un)fortunate enough to be selected as competitors in a selection of children’s games, the winners of which will emerge with a piggy-bank load of money. But wait… Isn’t this every day for the common citizen? How many times do we wake up to the gut-wrenching sound of our alarms, an insistent trilling like a child playing red light, green light? How many times do we subjugate ourselves to deadlines and curfews, surrendering our freedom for something that will probably end the moment we acquire it?

This theme reigned supreme in the sixth episode, Gganbu. The players had to pair up, thinking they would have to fight off other teams, only to find out they would have to defeat each other in the most 'humane' way possible. Among the lower classes, individuals are made to tear at each other’s throats, masking their fangs and claws with sugar-coated euphemisms like ‘as per my last email’ and ‘I beg your pardon?’ We are unfortunately forced to step onto each other just to please the people who satisfy our short-lived financial desires.

However, Player 001 proved us all wrong. Ignoring the heart-wrenching reveal at the end of the series, player 001 shows us that sacrifice is necessary for the continuation of a complete community. Sometimes we must realize that what is right isn’t always what leads to everyone’s satisfaction, making it necessary for us to let go of some things in order to move to the next step.

Classism vs. Unity

Most people did not see this, given the incredible amount of memes that flooded the internet, but there were perhaps three levels. There was the players’ class, the staff (Faceless) class, and the Spectators’ (VIPs) class. Within each were more classes, with players forming teams amongst themselves and a splinter faction of the staff working on illegal organ harvesting. However, the ones that stood out were the staff members. Squares were superior to Triangles, Triangles to Circles, and Circles to the players themselves. Above these was the Front Man and his handsomely angular dark mask, and above him were the VIPs and their golden, animal headed masks.

So, why the masks? Do they signify one's ability to commit the most heinous acts behind the mask of anonymity? Or is it that real appearances do not matter as much as which class one belongs to? Look at the world around you. Look at the people whose faces fill our screens. They are simply masks, worn to feel superior. Masks of fame, fortune, religion, status… and this applies to the corporate world as well. Communication is bureaucratic, the bulk of it restricted to emails. All that matters is the satisfaction of those above you.

But even bureaucracy cannot break the bond that comes through uniting ones forces and resources. Too many cooks spoil the broth but then again, more than one head can help solve a challenge. In the Tug of War game, for example, unity and strategy were used to trump directionless strength. It does not matter who you have on your team. It can be an old man, a disabled man, a teenager, maybe even a pregnant lady, but with combined forces and a proper plan, any obstacle can be overcome.

Misogyny vs. Feminism

I believe every episode touched on how most of the male players did not want to be affiliated with any of the female players (except for the married couple).

Player number 067, one of the few characters who easily carried the series, was one of the strongest female players in the game since she always had a backup plan. Having sought asylum from North Korea, it is clear she has a heavy distrust of anyone and everyone she encounters, except for the girlfriend she made in episode 6. But then there was also the crazy-loud lady, Player 212, who had to charm her way into the heart of the strongest male player, but still ended up getting betrayed.

Sexism and misogyny are aspects of everyday life, nagging voices that scream into our ears, which we all somehow manage to ignore. What we do not realize though is that regardless of gender, each of us has something different and unique to contribute. It can be wit, it can be strategy, and it can also be fearlessness. It doesn’t always have to be about strength, especially in the world we are headed into, and women matter just as much as men.

Segregation vs Cultural Acceptance

Players 199, 101 and067 were not originally from South Korea. Player 199 was from Pakistan, Player 101 from the Philippines, and Player 067 from North Korea. Each of the countries had their own problems, leading to these three players seeking solace beyond their borders. The irony of this is that although they fled their countries in search of greener pastures, they were each alienated, with various players taking advantage of their talents, their hearts, or their innocence or lack thereof.

Cue our star Player 456, who steps in and literally sees no color. His tenderheartedness was commendable, his appreciation of life cosmic. He treated everyone the same way, with boundless gladness and respect. When player 067 stole from him, he went out of the normal path and invited her to join his team. He always marveled at Player 199’s strength and, though afraid of player 101’s brute force, he was brave enough to stand up against him. If anything, Player 456 teaches us that sometimes it is not always about the money but about how well you relate with others.

Childhood vs. Adulthood

This was rather a bittersweet realization. The fact that reminiscing of innocence and childlike freedom would lead to their demise was both poetic and tragic. No one ever thinks of their childhood and associates it with death… Unless, of course, it’s someone who sees no light at the end of the tunnel… Someone who thinks back to a time was there were no troubles, no scarcity of joy and fun and games… Someone who decides, if they were to die there and then, they would rather die playing children’s games.

But the idea of death through innocence could also symbolize that death itself is unplanned. That perhaps we are too caught up in routine that we fail to see life as it is – a terribly short crazy mesh of coincidences and events, all resulting in our eventual demise. And perhaps that is why we are urged to take a break and relax, and enjoy life, and play before it all comes to an abrupt end. But then again, it could symbolize that to keep death at bay, we have to embrace maturity and turn into adults, into beings who realize the futility of life but still struggle through it all to emerge victorious.

Others

There are obviously more themes touched on in this ground-breaking series, including Family, Patriotism, Disabilities, Police Involvement, Motherhood, and many more, which have not been mentioned here. Share your thoughts in the comments section below, and perhaps we might unravel yet another contributing factor to the masterpiece that is Squid Game.